Trophic redundancy and predator size class structure drive differences in kelp forest ecosystem dynamics.

ABSTRACT: Ecosystems are changing at alarming rates because of climate change and a wide variety of other anthropogenic stressors. These stressors have the potential to cause phase shifts to less productive ecosystems. A major challenge for ecologists is to identify ecosystem attributes that enhance resilience and can buffer systems from shifts to less desirable alternative states. In this study, we used the Northern Channel Islands, California, as a model kelp forest ecosystem that had been perturbed from the loss of an important sea star predator due to a sea star wasting disease. To determine the mechanisms that prevent phase shifts from productive kelp forests to less productive urchin barrens, we compared pre- and postdisease predator assemblages as predictors of purple urchin densities. We fou

SUBMITTER: Eisaguirre JH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7317486 | biostudies-literature | 2020 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature